Moga: The Election Commission of India has issued fresh guidelines to check distribution of cash, liquor or any other items among electorates as it is punishable offence with imprisonment upto one year.

The ECI also directed the District Electoral Officer (DEO) to setup flying squads to keep a watch over the distribution of cash, liquor and other items in the Moga assembly constituency in the run up to the February 23 by-poll.

The poll body has also issued a directive that those carrying huge amount of cash during the by-election should have proper documents in order to avoid seizure, District Electoral Officer Arshdeep Singh Thind said today.

Meanwhile, the ECI has appointed DIG Police Puducherry ID Shukla as poll observer (police) to ensure a free and fair by-poll, an election office spokesman said here.

Shukla held his first meeting with the DEO and Moga SSP Asish Chaudary and reviewed entire police security arrangements. He directed to set up special check posts to keep a tab on alleged inflow of liquor or drugs and also to check illegal money to allegedly being used in influencing voters.